KING'S BUSINESS PROPHECY SECTION
HOW IMPORTANT § THE DOCTRINE CHRIST S IMMINENT RETURN?
By DONALD A. JENSEN , B D * T h a t subjects dealing with eschatology are relatively unnecessary and belong only to the periphery of Christian doctrine is the sentiment of many sincere Chris tians. “ Prophecy,” assert some, “is a subject of specula tion and does not contain any practical benefits for Christian living.” Admittedly, some have gone off the deep end in the speculative and spectacular, but the Biblical doctrine of prophecy is not such and serves to warm and to warn the hearts of God’s people. All will admit that the Church is sanctified and cleansed when it is washed of water by the Word of God (Eph. 5:26). Since at least one-fourth of the Bible, when written, related directly to prophetic events (much of this pertains to the second coming of Christ), it is appar ent that the Holy Spirit intended the Body of Christ to be sanctified and cleansed to a great measure by the instrumentality of this doctrine. This was the experience of the Thessalonian Christians who received the Word of God. Their testimony to this day, for our edification, is that this same Word effectually worked in their lives (I Thess. 2:13). This is important for consideration, as much of Paul’s first and basic instruction to these converts dealt with the doctrine of Christ’s return. The purpose of this article is to show that the incon trovertible truth of Christ’s imminent return for His elect Church is intended to yield stimulating and Christ-glori- fying effects in the lives of Christians. Because of limited space, such will be briefly demonstrated from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. Patience and Service. A number of commendations are directed to these converts in chapter one. Paul was con tinually reminded of their “work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope” (verse 3). Their sovereign election was manifested by their reception of the gospel and steadfastness for the gospel (verse 5, 6). Furthermore, three facts are affirmed to be true of these Thessalonians by those outside the church. They are: (1) they turned to God from idols; (2) they served the living and true God; and (3) they waited for His Son from heaven (verses 8-10). This threefold testimony notably coincides with the order of verse three in their work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. The first witnesses to their conversion experience to the Saviour, the second to their constant energy for the Saviour, and the third to their confident expectation of the Saviour. The first aspect of Christ’s coming, namely, the rapture of the Church, is here in view. This is evident from the context which states that Jesus has delivered us (a refer ence to the Church) from the wrath to come (verse 10). Because the Thessalonian epistles treat the eschatological events of Christ’s coming and the great tribulation, it seems only harmonious to refer the “ wrath” to “ the wrath of the Lamb” to be poured out during “ Jacob’s trouble.” The infinitives “ to serve” and “ to wait” express the condition into which they came by turning to God. A
knowledge of the character of their waiting is enhanced by an understanding of the meaning of the original word, anameno, which occurs only here in the New Testament. Most simply, it means “ to wait for one,” but with the added thought of patience and trust as the coming is known or foreseen. This is not the fanatical waiting of the “ date setters” who have appeared on the scene of history from time to time, and who have sold their pos sessions and donned white garments to await the Lord. It is rather a waiting that is based on the solid facts of Scripture. The waiting for Christ’s imminent return as set forth in Scripture is a confident waiting growing out of a heart experience at Calvary. Of considerable impor tance is the fact that waiting for Christ’s imminent return is coupled with a patience which occupies the present hour by serving the living and true God. It is inseparable from service. “ Does the belief in the imminent rapture of the Church result in stifled action?” The clear answer of this chapter is that it is rather a stimulus to action. Such a hope gives patience amidst service. The resultant attitude is well expressed by the words of Samuel concerning the absent David, “we will not sit down till he come hither” (I Sam. 16:11). Joy amidst Conflict. In the second chapter, a testimony of Paul serves to point out the fact that soul-winning is one service which is stimulated by a firm belief in Christ’s imminent return. In the light of Christ’s return, Paul was concerned over his privileged responsibility of winning the elect to Christ. He knew, as pictured here, of the Judgment Seat of Christ which will transpire subsequent to the rapture. The knowledge that he was “ a man sub ject to like passions” as other men, and the possibility of reward or loss of reward, were of no little matter to him. The coming of Christ, consequently, was more than a theory to Paul; it was a truth that gripped his heart, animated his spirit, and encouraged him to go on. This evangelizing stimulus is graphically presented in verses 19 and 20, where Paul reveals his deep affection for his converts. In contrast to this glorious picture are the dark shadows of persecution, prohibition to speak of Christ, and the program of Satan (verses 15-18). The apostle triumphantly asks, “ for what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” He answers the questions “ who?” and “when?” by stating “ are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” As parousia (translated “ coming” ) stresses the fact of presence more than mere coming, the latter phrase would be more ac curately rendered “ before our Lord Jesus in His presence.” The presence spoken of here is a reference to the saint’s appearing before the Judgment Seat to receive rewards for faithful service (cf. I Cor. 3:9-15; Rom. 14:10-12). When Paul contemplated this important judgment which is ushered in by the rapture of the Church, the Thessalonians became a source of hope, joy, and crown to him. Though many of them were persecuted, subjected to martyrdom, and targets of Satan’s darts, Paul was not cast down. He was confident that those whom he had (Concluded on Next Page)
* Alumnus of Talbot Theological Seminary and pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Covina, California.
SEPTEMBER, 1959
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